Thread-fastening machine



July 9, 1929. F. N. LA CHAPIELLE 1.720.046

THREAD PAS TENING MACHINE Original Filed D60. 20, 1919 s Sheets-Sheet 1 W M x-A MAM/n;

July 9, 1929. F. N. LA CHAPELLE THREAD FASTENING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 20, 1919 8 Sheets-Sheet July 9, 1929.

F. N. LA CHAPELLE THREAD FASTENING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 20, 1919 8 Sheets-Sheet July 9, 1929. F. N; LA CHAPELLE THREAD FASTENING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 20, 1919 8 Sheets-Sheet H nu L July 9, 1929.

F, N. LA CHAPELLE THREAD FASTENING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 20, 1919 8 Sheets-Sheet July 9, 1929. F. N. LA CHAPELLE THREAD FASTENING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 20 1919 8 Sheets-Sheet J y 1 F. N. LA CHAPELLE v 1. 6

THREAD FAS TENING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 20, 1919 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 July 9, 1929. F. N. LA CHAPELLE THREAD FASTENING MACBINE Original Filed Dec. 20, 1919 8 Sheets-Sheet Patented July 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,720,046 PATENT OFFICE.

FRED N. LA CHAPELLE, OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

THREAD-FASTENING MACHINE.

Application filed December 20, 1919, Serial No. 346,398. Renewed July 28, 1925. i

The present invention relates to thread handling machines and more particularly to machines of this type employed for temporarily fastening the upper and sole of a lasted shoe together prior to the permanent sewing of the inseam.

One object of the present invention is to provide c rtain new and useful improve ments in connection with a machine of this type where j, the operation of the thread fastener forming and inserting instrumentalities is rendered more certain and effective.

Another object of e present invention .is to improve and simplify the construction of this type of machine in such a manner that the thread fasteners may be inserted at any desired points without interference from the last ag tacks and toe wire which initially hold the lasted upper in position.

\Vith this object in view. the several features of the intent on consist in certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed, the advantages of which will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the following description.

in the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred form of the invention, Fig. 1 eprcsents a front elevation of the improved machine; Fig. 2 is a righthand side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig; 3 is a left hand elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. s is a detail illustrating a side elevation, partly in section, of the back :1'ae;e and toe wire lifter together with the supporting and actuating mechanism; Fig. 5 is dot illustrating the slotted end of the c gage; ig. 6 is a detail illustrating a p view. partly in section, of the back gage, thread cu and toe wire lifting mechanisms; I. 7 is a detail illustrating the toe wire lifter; Fig. 8 is a detail illustrating the take-up roll and mounting therefor; Fig. 9 is a d i illustrating a side elevation, partly in ion, or aportion of the operating IDOLlltlLNHl; Fig. 10 is a detail illustrating the mechanism for determining the position of "he hack gage; Fig. 11 is a detail illusing the channel guide and cooperating thread linger; Fig. 12 is a detail illustrating the needle xiide mechanism; Fig. 13 is a de tail illus atingz the toe wire lifter when enga g with the toe wire; Fig. 14 is a view similar to 1 3 illustrating the position of the toe wire lifter after the toe wire has been lifted; Fig. 15 is a detail illustrating the channel guide and channel opening tool in operative position; Fig. 16 is a view illustrating a front elevation of the channel guide and channel opening tool shown in Fig. 15; Figs. 17 to 25, inclusive, are views illustratino' diagrammatically the formation and insex on of the thread fastener; and Fig. 26is a view illustrating the method of securing the toe.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention is shown in. connection with a. thread handling machine of the type disclosed in the patent to La Chapelle, No. 1,185,108, date-d Way 80, 1916. This machine is de signed to inserta series of separate and unconnected thread fasteners through the upper and insole lip of a lasted shoe to enable the removal of all metallic fasteners prior to the welt sewing operation. Each of these fasteners consists of twoloops of thread passed through the upper andinsole lip from the outside of the shoe and having the first loop interlocked with the second on the opposite side. The instrumentalities for forming and inserting the thread fasteners comprise essentially a curved eye-needle which pierces the upper and insole lip twice during each cycle of operations to pass two separated loops of thread through the work. Cooperating with the needle is a reciprocating loop carrier which engages with the first loop formed by the needle and inserts it within the second loop. Thereafter the needle and loop carrier are simultaneously withdrawn and the take-up is actuated 'to draw the two interlocked loops into the work. Upon the completion of the thread fastener, the single thread is severed and the shoe released preparatory to the formation of the next succeeding thread fastener.

The present invention consists in certain improvements designed to improve the construction and operation of machines of the above described type with the special purpose of insuring the certain formation of a securely and properly formed. thread fastener in each and every instance independently of variations in the thickness of the between substance or other Variable factors which may normally be present in operating upon av wide range of shoe styles and sizes.

The machine is provided with a curved eye-needle 25 secured in aneedle segment 26 fulcrumed upon a rock shaft 27 The needle segment is actuated by a bell crank lever 32 having an arm 83 operatively connected to the cam path formed in the face 34 of the cam disc 35 as shown in Fig. 1. The second arm 37 of the bell crank lever has a lever 29 pivoted upon the outer end which is adj ustably connected to the needle segment through a link 30. The lateral movements of the needle relative to the bell crank are imparted in the usual manner by a slide 44 movable in a rectilinear path upon guides 46 and 47. A cam roll 48 journaled upon the slide is received in a cam path 50 formed in the periphery of the cam disc 51 for imparting the requisite movements to the slide. The slide 44 is connected to the upper end of the lever 29 by means of a pin 42 extending lengthwise of the lever, a block 41 sliding upon the pin, and a stud 43 projecting from the block and pivoted in the slide 44. This construction is designed to impart two successive advancing movements to the needle with an intermediate jogging of the needle to space the loops of thread formed thereby in the usual manner and is substantially like the mechanism shown and described in the La Chapelle patent referred to. In order to compensate for different thicknesses of work, the extent of movement of the needle may be varied through theprovision of the adjustable connection between the lever 29 and the link 30. Owing to the fact that the work is invariably positioned in a fixed relation to the most advanced point of the path of the needle, it is desirable that such variations in the thickness of the work shall be compensated for by varying the point to which the needle is retracted. For this purpose, a slot 49 is formed in the end of the lever 29 which is substantially concentric with an axis coincident with the pivotal connection of the link 30 and needle segment when the point of the needle is in its most advanced position so that an adjustment of the link 30 relative to the lever 29 will not vary this position of the needle.

It is essential in machines of this type that the needle shall pierce the work without deviating in the slightest degree from its truepath of movement, and in order to insure this, especially when operating upon shoes composed of heavy thick material, it is desirable to positively support the needle in proximity to the point where it enters the work. 7 To this end, a positively operated needle guide 52 is fulcrumed upon the shaft 27 which carries a gear segment 58 meshing with a second gear segment 54 mounted upon the end of an arm 55. This arm is fulcrumed upon a shaft 56 and is rocked through a second arm 57 operatively connected with a cam path formed in the face 58 of the cam disc 51. The cam path is designed to advance the needle guide 52 during the advancing movement of the needle and cause the guide to come to a position of rest at the face of the back gage and positively support the needle adjacent the point of penetration. This not only permits the use of a lighter needle than otherwise, but prevents any deviation of the needle which might interfere with the operation of the cooperating loop carrier.

After the first loop of thread has been passed through the work by the curved needle, it is engaged and held by a loop -arrier which is subsequently advanced in a straight line to pass this first loop of thread through the second loop in the usual manner. The loop carrier, or thread linger 85, as shown in Fig. 1, is adjustably secured to a slide 86 which is movable in a rectilinear path on guides 46 and 88. The slide carries a cam roll 90 which is received in a cam path formed in the periphery of the cam disc 94, as shown in Fig. 1. he thread finger 85 is adjustably. mounted in slide ways 97 formed in the lower end of an arm 98 extending from the slide, and is secured to the arm through a bolt and slot connect-ion, indicated at 99. An adjusting screw 100, threadedly mounted in a lug 101 formed upon the arm 98, engages with the top of the thread finger to impart the requisite adjustments to it. (See Fig. 11.)

The machine embodies a combined takeup and thread measuring device which automatically gives up thread during the advancing movements of the needle and is retracted to set the fastening at its completion. in addition, an intermediate movement is in'iparted to the take-up between the first and second advancing movements of the needle to insure that sufficient thread is drawn oil from the supply to form the second loop of thread. The take-up comprises an arm 60 having a take-up roll 61 over which the thread passes between theneedle and a locking device indicated at 62. The take-up arm is fulcrumed at its rear end upon the shaft 63 and carries midway between its ends a roll 64 which is received in a cam path formed in the face 65 of the cam disc 51. The opera-- tion of the take-up arm is such that it tightens the stitch after its formation and during the continued movement serves to draw ofi' thread from the supply for the next succeeding stitch. Thereafter, during the passage of the needle through the work, the take-up arm descends suificiently to give the requisite amount of thread to theneedle. hen the needle retracts, the take-up arm is retracted with it to take up slack, and if necessary, draw off more thread. and during the second passage of the needle through the Work, the take-up arm again descends to furnish the necessary thread for the loop. Thereafter, the thread is locked back of the take-up which is lifted to set the stitch in the work and during the continued movement to draw off sutlicient thread from the supply for the next stitch. It. owing to the increased thickness of the work. the needle, during its first passage, has drawn oil more than the designed amount of thread. the elevation of the take-up at the withdrawal of the needle from the work on the completion of the first loop will draw oil the necessary length of thread from the supply.

The present term of take-up is designed to prevent gumming or sticking ot' the take-up roll with continued use. This condition is difficult to avoid with the usual constructions when a waxed thread is employed. As shown particularly in Fig.8 ot the drawings, the take-up roll 61 is provided with an elongated stud shaft 7 whien is jeurnaled within a hub 74 formed upon the end oi": the takeup arm. This hub is provided with a boss 7 6 of smaller diameter than the diameter of the roll and with the usual thread guard 82. The stud shaft 73 is lubricated by an oil duct 83 formed therein, as shown in the drawings. The take-up roll i s held in place upon the arm by engagement with a plane face 84 formed upon a stationary portion of the machine frame, this partbeing heated, as is usual, to communicate heat to the roll and prevent the collection of wax thereon. \Vith this construction, there is no opportunity for any substantial amount of wax to work into the bearing of the roll, and in consequence, the latter is capable of operation 'l or long periods of time without sticking or substantial wear.

The thread lock comprises a roll 66 journaled upon a stationary bracket 67 and clamping shoe 68 carried upon one arm 69 of a bell crank pivoted at 70. The second arm 71 of the bell crank is provided with a roll 72 which engages with the periphery of the cam disc 7.). The shoe 68 is operated to clamp the thread against the roll during the lifting movement of tne take-up arm to set the stitch and is norn'ially moved toward the roll by a spring T7 which connects the arm 71 with a. stationary bracket 7 9 extending from the machine frame. The movement of the shoe toward the roll is limited by a stop screw 80 threadedly mounted in a lateral extension 81 formed upon the arm 69, as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings.

The lasted shoe is held in position between a cooperating channel guide and back gage, the former being fixed in position to positively locate the channel and insole lip in a fixed relation with the thread forming instrumentalities and the latter having capacity of adjustment to compensate for the various thicknesses of work. In order to insure the proper engagement of the channel. guide within the channel of the insole. a channel opening device is embodied in the machine and is adapted to lift the insole lip in a manner to facilitate the entrance of the channel. guide thereunder.

The channel guide is indicated at 110 and is secured to a block 111 which is vertcially adjustable upon a. bracket 112 forming a part of the machine frame. The block 111 is se cured to the bracket 112 through a bolt and slot connection indicated at 113. The channel guide is provided with two prongs 114 and 115 which enter into the base of the channel and between which the needle passes during the formation of the stitch.

A channel opening foot 120 is provided with a. bifurcated thin pointed end 122 designed to engage beneath and lift the insole lip. The opening tool is fulcrumed at 123 and is yieldingly maintained in a position in advance of the channel guide by a compression spring 124. As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, a bracket 121 is adjustably connected to a stationary arm 126 through a bolt and slot connection indicated at 128. The pivot pin 123 carrying the foot 120 is threadedly secured in the lower end of the bracket, the upper end being provided with a projecting ledge 125. This ledge has a spring bolt 129 loosely received therein which carries the compression spring 124, the lower end of the bolt engaging in a tail 127 projecting from the foot as shown. In order to limit the swinging movement of the foot 120 under the action of the spring 124, the upper end of the spring bolt 129 is provided with a check nut 119 which engages above the ledge 125, as shown in Fig. 15 of the drawings. This construction provides for the yielding retention of the channel opening tool in a position in advance of the channel guide in order to engage beneath and lift the lip of the channel prior to the entrance of the channel guide therein.

The back gage, indicated at 130, engages with the upper opposite the channel guide and is secured to a slide 132 supported upon swinging links 134 and 135. The back gage is normally moved into clamping position by a spring 140 and is locked in this position by a ratchet segment- 142 mounted to turn with the swinging link 135. The rear end of the slide carrying the back gage is provided with a stop lug 144 which is engaged by an arm 146 to retract the back gage when released. This arm 146 carries a pivot dog 148 which is pressed by a spring 149 towards the ratchet toothed segment 142. The arm first advances to permit movement of the back gage into an operative position under the action of the spring 140 and when the back gage has reached this position, the arm is further advanced to cause the pawl 148 to move into engagement with the ratchet toothed segment 142 and lock the back gage slide in working position. At the completion of the thread fastening, the arm is retracted to first unlock and then move the back gage rearwardly. The arm is ful crumed upon the shaft 63 and is connected with a cam path in the face 158 of the cam disc through a second arm 152 having a cam roll upon the upper end. The back gage is moved into predetermined position with relation to the channel guide in which it normally contacts lightly with the shoe upper and in order to afford provision for the necessary adjustment in operating upon different classes of work, for example, heavy mens shoes and light womens shoes, a

eccentric stop member is provided for limiting the forward movement of the back gage under the action of its spring. This eccentric member is shown in detail in Fig. 10 and is designed to engage with the link 1234 forming one of the supports for the back gage slide. As shown in Figs. 6 and 10, a stud is mounted eceentrically upon a disc 161, which is provided with a threaded shank 162 received in the machine frame and held in place by a check nut 163. The end of the shank, as shown in Fig. 41;. is slotted at 165 to receive a suitable operating instrumentality. The provision of this eccentric adjustment for limiting the operative position of the back gage is important as it enables the position of the back gage to be accurately determined and the operating mechanism for the thread cutter to be adjusted so that the thread cutter will sever the thread at the instant the take-up ceases its upward movement and prior to the stopping of the machine.

I In order to prevent lasting tacks from interfering with the operation of the ma chine, the back gage, as will be observed from an inspection of Figs. 5 and 6, is pro- Vided with two spaced openings 194 adapted to permit the passage of the needle therethrough. These openings are connected by a narrow slot 195 which is of insufficient width to permit the head of a lasting tack to project therein. In addition, a tack guard 222 is secured to the side of the back gage and is designed to prevent a lasting tack from engaging between the face of the back gage and the cutting edge of the knife when in an inoperative position. As will be observed from an inspection of Fig. 6, the guard is spaced slightly away from the face of the back gage. The slot thus formed permits a thread to be severed against the edge of the cutting knife, but does not permit the entrance of lasting tacks which are diverted by the inclined face of the guard.

During the insertion of the thread fastening about the toe of the shoe, it is desirable to displace and hold the toe wire out of its groove in the upper to permit the insertion of the thread fastener and the laying of the toe binding thread therein. For this purpose, a lifter having a wire engaging hook 171 is adjustably secured to an arm 172 which is guided in 'ways 173 formed in the side of the machine head. This arm is connected at its rear end. to a lever 175 ful' crumed upon the shaft 63 and operatively connected at its opposite end with a cam path formed in the face 177 of the cam disc 94-. The toe wire lifter is adapted to be movedinto engagement with the shoe upper with a forward movement of the back gage and to engage with the shoe upper where it is supported by the edge of the last and the insole, well below the toe wire. The con' tinued movement of the arm 172 causes the ifter to ride over the upper, engage beneath the toe wire and force the toe wire from the groove, as illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14. During this movement of the lifter the forward end of the lifter rides on the upper which is supported by the last, the edge of the insole, and the upturned lip or rib of the insole, an upward movement of the lifter with the arm 172 being permitted by reason of the pivotal connection of the rear end of the arm 172 with the lower end of the lever 175, which pivotal connection is in a somewhat lower level than the point of engagement of the lifter with the shoe upper. To insure this movement of the lifter and to enable the engagement of the upper to be properly determined for different sizes and styles of shoes, a cam plate 180 is adjustably connected to the arm 172 through the bolt and slot connections indicated at 181 and is provided with a curved under face 182 which is engaged by a supporting finger 183. W hen the lifter 1s retracted, the finger 183 normally engages with the face 182, as shown in Fig. 7, and as the toe wire lifter is moved with the back gage toward the shoe, the finger rides off on to the depressed portion of the cam plate permitting the lifter to move into engagement with the upper well below the toe wire. l/Vith this construc tion. the lifter is supported when in an inoperative position approximately level with the back gage affording ample space for the insertion and removal of the shoe. The cam plate and supporting finger are normally retained. in contact through a coiled spring 185 surrounding the connection between the arm 172 and the lever 175, as shown in Fig. 7. In order to permit the height of the toe wire lifter to be adjusted as desired, the finger 183 is supported upon a slide 186 which is slidingly mounted upon the front of the machine frame and is engaged by an adjusting screw 187, as shown in Fig. 2 of the draw ings.

The thread is severed at the completion of the upward movement of the take-up and prior to the stopping of the machine by a thread cutting knife which shears the thread against the face of the back gage. As shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the knife 190 is adjustably secured in one arm of hell crank lever 196 fulcrumed upon the back gage slide at 192 and is provided with a cutting edge 193 arranged to move across the openings 194 formed in the back gage and shear the thread against the edge of one of these openings. The second arm of the bell crank 196 is positioned in the path of a stud 197 secured to one end of an operating rod 198 slidingly supported in bearings 199. This operating rod is actuated by a lever 200 pivoted on the shaft 63 and operatively connected at its upper end with the cam path formed in the face 202 of the cam disc 94, all as shown in Fig. 1. The lower end of the lever 200 is pivot-ally connected with a'link 204 which is joined to the operating rod through a forked connection 205 guided in ways 206 formed in the machine frame. In order to permit an adjustment of the limits of movement of the operating rod, the rear end of the link 204 is threaded at 207 and is engaged by check nuts 208 upon opposite sides of the hub 209 which forms a connection with the lower end of the lever 200. This adjustment permits the thread severing movement of the knife to be timed properly with respect to the position of the back gage upon which the knife is mounted. When passing about the toe of the shoe, the thread cutting knife is rendered inoperative and this is conveniently accomplished by shifting the operating rod so that the path of movement is outside of the arm 196. As shown in Fig. 6, the forward end of the operating rod 198 has a lateral extension 210 which normally causes the stud 197 to move in, a path such that the stud engages with the arm 196. In order to render the cutting knife inoperative, the rod 198 is turned sufficiently to cause the lateral extension 210 to project downwardly and carry the stud 197 below the arm 196. A collar 211 is secured to the operating rod between the two arms of the forked member 205 and is provided with a toothed segment 212 engaged by a rack 213 formed upon the upper end of a treadle rod 214. This collar is pinned to the rod 198 at 215 so that a turning of the segment 212 through a depression of the treadle imparts a like movement to the rod 198. The cutting movement of the knife to sever the thread is positively imparted by the operating rod 198 and the retraction of the knife is yieldingly accomplished through a spring 220 connecting the outer end of the arm 196 with the fixed stud upon the machine frame.

The present type of machine is designed to complete the formation and insertion of a thread fastener during one complete revolution of the cam shaft, after which the machine is automatically stopped. To this end, a suitable form of one revolution clutch is designed to automatically stop the machine at the completion of a single revolution of the cam shaft with the thread fastener forming and inserting instrumentalities located in a predetermined position. The mechanism for starting and stopping the machine comprises essentially a pulley 230 loosely mounted upon the cam shaft and adapted to be connected to the shaft by a sliding key 232. The key is normally moved from the inoperative position shown in Fig. 1 to an operative position by a coil spring 234. The key is maintained in an inoperative position by the upper end of a wedge member 236 formed upon a slide 237. The slide 237 is detachably connected with a treadle rod 240 through a pair of oppositely pivoted hook members 241 which engage with correspondingly shaped shoulders 242 formed upon the lower end of the slide, as shown in Fig. 3. Upon depressing the treadle, the wedge 236 is withdrawn from behind the key, permitting the latter to be moved into an operative position by the spring 234. In order to make the stopping of the machine independent of the depression of the treadle, the hook members 241 are disengaged from the slide 237, to permit the return of the slide to the position shown in the drawings by a spring 243. In order to automatically disengage the hook members 241, each member is, provided with a cam face 245 which is adapted to engage with an. operating member 246 to spread the hooks against the tension of a holding spring 250. Thus the slide is disconnected from the treadle and returned to the position shown where the wedge 236 may engage with and move the key 232 to an inoperative position when the cam shaft has completed one revolution. In order to prevent an abrupt stopping of the cam shaft, due to the engagement of the key with the wedge 236, it will be observed from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 3, that the slide 237 is supported by a bracket 252 loosely mounted upon the cam shaft and having a spring buffer 253 which engages with a fixed stop 254. When the rotating key contacts with the wedge 236, the impact moves the lower end of the bracket to the right, carrying the upper end and'spring buffer to the left in Fig. 3, compressing the spring against the fixed stop 254. This lateral movement of the bracket is sufiicient to slightly oscillate an arm 255 carrying a' brake shoe 257 on its lower end which engages with the periphery of a disc 258 and aids in stop ing the rotation of the cam shaft. In order to prevent any substantial rebound of the cam shaft and associated parts under the action of the spring buffer, a pivoted dog 260 is mounted as shown in Fig. 3, and is adapted to permit the normal rotation of the cam shaft but through engagement with the key 232 to prevent any backward rotation. This stopping mechanism in and of itself forms no part of the present invention and is of a type familiar to those skilled 111 the art in machines of this general class, which are auto- .matically stopped at the completion of a single rotation of the mam shaft.

While it is preferred to employ this specific construction and arrangement of parts shown and described, it will be understood that this construction and arrangement is "not essential except so far as specified in the claims, and maybe changed or modified Withoutdeparting from the broader features of the invention.

The invention having been described, what is claimed is:

1. A thread fastening machine comprising a channel guide and back gage for respectively engaging with the channel and ,upper. of a lasted shoe, a curved eye needle actuated to pierce the work from the outside, and means for adjusting the throw of the needle designed to vary the point to which the needle is retracted without affecting the advanced pointof movement of the needle.

2, A thread fastening machine comprising a stationary channel guide, a curved needle adapted to enter the. work from the side opposite the channel guide, a needle segment, an actuating link pivotally connected with the needle segment, and a slotted connection for the opposite end of the link substantially concentric with the pivotal connection between the link and needle segment when theneedle is in its most advanced position to permit an adjustment of the retracted position of the needle without affecting the advanced position. i

3.. A thread fastening machine comprising acurved eye needle adapted to pass a loop of thread through the work from the side at which the needle penetrates the work, a needle guide, and mechanism for positively oscillating the needle guide in timed relation with the advancing movement ofthe needle to support the needle in proximity to itspoint of entrance into the work. a

4. A: thread fasten ng machine compr1smg a curved eye needle, mechanism for actuating the needle, a needle guide, and separatemechanism for positively operating the needle guide in timed relation with the ada needle during eachcycle of operations of the machine, a take-up, and mechanism for operpath of move- 7 ating thetake-up to draw ofi' thread from the supply after each advancing movement of the needle.

7. A thread fastening machine comprising a curved needle, mechanism for imparting two advancing movements to the needle during each cycle of operations of the machine, a take-up, and mechanism for actuating the take-up at the completion of a thread fastener to draw off thread for the next thread fastener and for imparting an intermediate movement to the take-up to draw off additional thread if necessary for the formation of the second loop.

8.- A thread fastening machine comprising thread fastener forming and inserting instrumentalities, a channel guide, a chan nel opening tool, and means for yieldingly retaining the tool in advance of the channel guide.

9. A- thread fastening machine comprising thread fastener forming and inserting instriunentaiities, a channel guide, a channel opening tool, and means for adjusting the position of thetool relative to the guide.

lUrA thread fastening machine comprising a channel guide, a cooperating back gage, actuating mechanism for moving the back gage toward the channel guide, and a channel opening tool supported in operative relation to the channel guide and having a working end arranged to project beneath the insole lip and lift the lip as the work is moved into position. I

11. A thread fastening machine comprising a channel guide, a back gage, means having provision for adjustment to positively limit the movement of the back gage toward the channel guide, a thread cutting knife cooperating with the back gage, and means having provision for adjustment to actuate the thread cutting knife at a predetermined point in the cycle of operations of the machine. V 7

12. A thread fastenin i machme compris- 111g a stationary channe guide, a cooperating back gage, means for moving the back gage toward the channel guide, a rotatable 7 support, and a stop member eccentrically positioned upon the support for varying the limit of movement of the back gage toward the channel guide.-

13. A thread fastening machine comprising a back gage slide, swinging links supporting the slide, a stop designed to contact with one of the links and limit the forward movement of the slide, and means for adjusting the position of the stop. i V

14. A thread fastening machine comprising a stationary channel guide,'a back gage, a stop for causing the back gage to assume a predetermined position with relation to the channel guide, means for yieldinglyretaining the back gage in this position, a thread cutting member cooperating with the back gage to sever the thread, and mechanism for actuating the thread cutting member.

15. A thread fastening machine comprising a back ga 'e having two spaced openings, each designer to permit the passage of a needle therethrough, and a relatively narrow slot connecting the openings of insufiicient width to allow a lasting tack to project therein.

16. A thread fastening machine comprising a back gage, a thread cutting knife mounted upon the back gage and cooperating therewith to sever the thread, and a tack guard connected to the back gage and designed to prevent the entrance of a tack between the back gage and thread cutting knife.

17. A thread fastening machine comprising a channel guide, a back gage, means for moving the back gage toward the shoe, a wire lifting device, and mechanism for mov ing the lifting device toward the shoe simultaneously with the movement of the back gage.

18. A thread fastening machine comprising a curved needle, a loop carrier, a thread cutter, a toe wire lifter, a cam shaft, means for actuating all of the instrumentalities from the cam shaft in timed relation, and

means for automatically stopping the cam shaft at the completion of a single revolution.

19. A thread fastening machine comprising a channel guide, a back gage, a thread cutting knife movable with the back gage, means for moving the back gage toward the channel guide, means for positively limiting the movement of the back gage toward the channel guide, and means for operating the thread cutting knife at a predetermined point in the cycle of operations of the machine.

20. A thread fastening machine comprising work positioning devices, thread fastener forming and inserting devices, a toe wire lifting device, and mechanism for actuating automatically and successively said thread fastener forming and inserting devices and toe wire lifting device timed to cause said toe wire lifting device to engage and lift the toe wire prior to the insertion of the thread fastener.

21. A thread fastening machine comprising work positioning devices, thread fastener forming and inserting devices, automatically acting actuating mechanism therefor, a toe wire lifting device movable towards. and from the shoe to engage and lift the wire prior to the insertion of each' thread fastener and to disengage the wire prior to the insertion of the next fastener, and automatically acting mechanism for actuating said wire lifting device properly timed with relation to the mechanism for actuating the thread fastener forming and inserting devices.

22. A thread fastening machine comprising work positioning devices, thread fastener forming and inserting devices, automatically acting actuating mechanism therefor, a toe wire liftin device, and mechanism timed with relation to the thread fastener forming and inserting devices acting automatically during a cycle of operations of the machine to cause said device to engage, lift and disengage the wire.

23. A thread fastening machine comprising work positioning devices, thread fastener forming and inserting devices, actuating mechanism therefor, a toe wire lifting device, and mechanism timed with relation to the thread fastener forming and inserting devices for actuating automatically said device to engage and lift the toe wire and thereafter retract to a position affording ample space for the removal and insertion of a shoe.

FRED N. LA CHAPELLE. 

